2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R: More Details Emerge!

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

It looks like the 600cc middleweight motorcycle segment is really hotting up even as the 6 Lakh Rupee price point promises to be the next big volumes puller for the premium motorcycle segment. While Garware-Hyosung launched the GT650R Sportsbike and the ST7 Cruiser last month to some stiff demand for these motorcycles, the going will definitely get tough for Garware-Hyosung as Bajaj is all set to bring the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R soon.

How soon, if you may ask, a Bajaj Probiking dealer, whom we will not name for obvious reasons says that the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R could be launched somewhere in June 2011. Also, the price point at which the Ninja could be launched is what is more interesting as the dealer is pegging the ex-showroom price of the Ninja 650R at about INR 5.5 Lakhs. This price, coupled to the strong Kawasaki brand and service backing by Bajaj could really set the cat amongst the pigeons in the 6 Lakh Rupee price point in the Indian premium sportsbike market.

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

We have also learnt that the 2011 Ninja 650R being brought to India will be the European spec version which produces about 72 Bhp of peak power at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 66 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Both these figures being comparable to that of the Hyosung GT650R, Garware-Hyosung might just have a twinge of regret as to why they didn’t bring in the 80 Bhp plus version of the GT650R to India, as that could have been a very good differentiating factor between the Ninja 650R and the Hyosung GT650R, with the latter at a distinct advantage.

That said, the Kawasaki Ninja 650R is more of a commuterish sports bike when it comes to the more relaxed riding position, vis-a-vis a more aggressive posture for the Hyosung GT650R. That apart, the Kawasaki parallel twin is known to be more refined that the gruff GT650R, which doesn’t like rpms beyond 6,000, after which it has been reported to get a tad too vibey for comfort. All said, it would be a nice touch if Bajaj throw in ABS along with the 2011 Ninja 650R. So, if you’re in the market for a 6 Lakh rupee motorcycle, we suggest that you wait to sample the new Ninja 650R, so that you can make a more informed choice.

2011 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Image Courtesy: TopSpeed

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